'Gutted' Stan Moody taught a 'harsh lesson' by Kyren Wilson on Halo World Snooker Championship debut

Stan Moody admitted he was "gutted" to surrender a 7-3 lead on his Crucible debut, with Kyren Wilson teaching the teenager a "harsh lesson", according to Alan McManus.

Moody candidly spoke about feeling like he had the match wrapped up after winning the opening frame of Monday's evening session.

But rash shots and a lack of experience led to his downfall, as the teenager's 34-year-old opponent reeled off seven frames in succession to march into the last 16 of the Halo World Championship.

The 2024 winner will face Mark Allen in the second round - live on TNT Sports and HBO Max - whilst Moody will be sent home to lick his wounds and reflect on a "disappointing" conclusion to his thrilling Crucible bow.

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"I'm gutted," Moody told TNT Sports. "I felt like I had the match won at 7-3. I missed the red to go 8-3 and it just went downhill from there.

"[They are] long matches, a lot of pressure. There are a lot of swings. A top player like Kyren, you're expecting them to come back. I felt like I was the better player today, but just a bit of experience and losing bad frames hurt.

"It's a bit of a disappointing end, but I'll have a few days off to think about what's happened. It's been amazing. The crowd were amazing. I've gained a lot of fans and I enjoyed it out there."

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Video credit: TNT Sports

Summing up the 19-year-old's night was a miss on the black in the final frame, one which came from a place of impatience, as he later conceded.

"I was just at a point where I thought, I don't care anymore. I've lost too many bad frames. I might as well just go for it and see what happens. I rattled it and if it goes in, I might win 10-9, but it didn't. So it is what it is."

TNT Sports expert McManus did not mince his words in reaction to Moody's loss, calling out his selection of shots, which he believed were "simply not good enough".

"It's a harsh lesson this," reflected McManus. "He played three or four shots tonight that simply aren't good enough at this level, in this company, against that level of opposition. You have to brush up and sense danger when it's poking its head around the corner.

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"You need to sense it and put up the barrier and say, 'Woah, wait a minute here. I'm not going to make the silly mistake, the amateur mistake.' That's not a nice word to use, but it's apt.

"It's plain and simple. There are rules in this game, unwritten ones that you have to obey at this level. If you don't, you're asking for trouble and you're asking the wrong people, as in the champions - they'll make you pay for everything."

McManus clarified that he was intentionally not holding back with his assessment because of the belief he possesses in the prodigy's talent, and concluded by noting the "classy" youngster could have the world at his feet - provided he shapes up.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

"I'm being harsh on Stan, and there's a good reason behind it, because I want him to succeed. The positives are that he's a fabulous player. He's got a bit to learn," said McManus.

"Kyren made one break over 50 tonight, right? So it's not like Kyren went into one. Stan was getting chances aplenty. We saw him there in some of that footage. He's in his chair [with his hands over his face].

"Does Mark Selby do that? Does John Higgins do that? Does Judd Trump do that? Does Kyren do that? Kyren now and again, but generally, no.

"You sit there and you get back in your bubble and you prepare for what's ahead. And we know what's ahead in this place, it's heartache and pain, and you've got to deal with it. And he didn't, because of inexperience.

"He'll get there because he's a classy player, isn't he? But the lessons are so harsh, and I'm being harsh on him, and I don't want to be. But he'll learn the lessons hopefully quickly, and the world's his oyster."

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You can watch every day of the 2026 World Snooker Championship live on TNT Sports. It is available both live and on-demand on HBO Max

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